Do I take some time off?? - Page 4

KChiefsQT · 09:32 PM

I'm stuck ... trying to make decisions, declare majors and figure out what I want to do and where I want to be in life. For those of you that have been through college, is it okay to take a semester off... kind of a find yourself semester to do whatever, travel.... relax etc. I have saved some money up and I'm thinking of taking of next fall semester to do my own thing. Would you reccommnd something like this? I have ambition to finish school, so that's out of the question... but I don't want to feel like I'm bailing out when I'm on a roll. Helpppppppppp.

greg63 · 02-22-2006, 01:39 AM

Depends on how close you are to graduating. I graduated a non-traditional student, after laying off for nearly SEVEN YEARS

, I don't recommend that. If you do take time off to take a break be sure not to get stuck in a rut that would keep you from going back. In retrospect, I would have probably been better off had I finished much sooner then I did, however, it did give me some perspective and afforded me some time to "grow up" a bit.

Inspector · 02-22-2006, 07:05 AM

Welfare and food stamps will keep ya goin', so no need to worry about finishing school at all.

However, better advice is probably more like: Stay focused, learn to postpone this reward and in the long run you will probably be glad you did.

Going for the "gratification now" decisions has been problematic for some people in their lives.

Good luck.

**Bob Dole** · 02-22-2006, 07:10 AM

FWIW, Bob Dole took 8 years off and still managed to finish.

greg63 · 02-22-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

FWIW, Bob Dole took 8 years off and still managed to finish.

It is possible.

Braincase · 02-22-2006, 08:10 AM

To quote Van Halen, "C'mon baby finish what you started".

Took me 20 years to get my bachelors. I'd definitely do some things differently if I coulds do it all over again.

Eleazar · 02-22-2006, 08:14 AM

I knew several people who 'took time off' during college, but can't remember any that came back.

Stick it out and graduate.

**Skip Towne** · 02-22-2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

To quote Van Halen, "C'mon baby finish what you started".

Took me 20 years to get my bachelors. I'd definitely do some things differently if I coulds do it all over again.

It took me 10. The only people I saw do it in 4 were the ones that had their folks paying the bills.

greg63 · 02-22-2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

It took me 10. The only people I saw do it in 4 were the ones that had their folks paying the bills.

Yep; once I had to invest some of my own $$$ I was much more motivated to finish.

**cdcox** · 02-22-2006, 08:40 AM

This answer to this question really depends on your circumstances. You sound like you are planning to switch majors and or schools. It is likely that you will lose a semester just by doing that, plus the semester you plan to sit out. Depending on your circumstances this could be the right decision or a waste of a year. As you finish this Spring semester, you really need to narrow down your career choices. Based on that you will find yourself in one of two camps:

A. You need to have specialized training at the UG level for your career choice. If your current school does not offer this degree, or is of questionable quality, changing schools might be the right choice. In that case, since you missed application deadlines for Fall Semester, you might as well sit out a semester.

B. Many types of UG degrees can provide entry into the field of your choice, or you still have no idea what you want to do. There are many examples of this, law school for one. Just finish your degree where you are now. View it as chore that needs to be finished so you can get on with what you really want to do. Study abroad for a semeter if you need a fresh scene (these also have long lead time application deadlines). The main idea is to get the UG behind you. Now you can take some time to relax, travel, try out some different jobs. You may need to go to grad school to get the training for your dream job. You have to have your UG finished to do that.

I wouldn't change schools without a real academic reason for doing so, and I definitely wouldn't change schools or sit out a semester without a firm academic plan leading to a career of high interest. The costs and risks are too high to undertake without a tangible benefit.

Fish · 02-22-2006, 10:12 AM

I kinda get the feeling that this is being brought on more by personal issues than academic issues. Forgive me if I'm completely wrong, but this is my take:

You broke up with the bf... life seems like it's in the dumps.... a little depression sets in... bf has moved to TX and makes an attempt to resurrect old feelings.... that doesn't work.... a little more depression... Feelings of getting away and starting over set in...

In this type of situation, a change of location always seems like the best solution at first. The whole "grass is greener" idea... But make sure it's really needed, and that you're doing it for the right reasons. I would take some time and seriously think it over before taking a semester off and/or move away. You may need less time to get over this than you think...

I'd recommend sticking it out there.... or at least ponder the situation over spring break before making any decisions.....

KCTitus · 02-22-2006, 10:16 AM

Taking a semester off is a bad thing. Tough it out and get through school. You say you want to finish school but after 7 months of 'finding' ones self, getting back into the groove is going to be terribly difficult and I'd say the vast majority never go back.

StcChief · 02-22-2006, 10:45 AM

Don't take the time off. I also know several that decided to take another semester off, and eventually never went back. If your tired and unsure, take some classes that you will need anyway no matter if you change majors,
go half time and work.

Scaga · 02-22-2006, 10:53 AM

Don't quit!!
Take it from someone that quit 3-4 times...it's a real bitch to go back. After having the time off, it's really hard to get back in the swing of things.

go bo · 02-22-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Princess

I've known many a person who just, "took a semester off" and never went back.

Nose to the grindstone and be done with it.

me too, most people i knew in college who took some time off never came back...

hell, one of my sons took a semester off and never went back...

greg63 · 02-22-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scaga

Don't quit!!
Take it from someone that quit 3-4 times...it's a real bitch to go back. After having the time off, it's really hard to get back in the swing of things.

Depends on ones personality; it was actually easier for me to get back into the swing of things once I did go back. I think it was because I was a bit older and had a chance to mature, but like I said that was nearly SEVEN YEARS later, and I don't recommend that long a lay-off.

02-21-2006, 09:21 PM
KChiefsQT Kara G! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Casino cash: $9325122	Do I take some time off?? I'm stuck ... trying to make decisions, declare majors and figure out what I want to do and where I want to be in life. For those of you that have been through college, is it okay to take a semester off... kind of a find yourself semester to do whatever, travel.... relax etc. I have saved some money up and I'm thinking of taking of next fall semester to do my own thing. Would you reccommnd something like this? I have ambition to finish school, so that's out of the question... but I don't want to feel like I'm bailing out when I'm on a roll. Helpppppppppp. Last edited by KChiefsQT; 02-21-2006 at 09:32 PM..
Posts: 4,070

02-22-2006, 01:39 AM	#46
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $6604990	Depends on how close you are to graduating. I graduated a non-traditional student, after laying off for nearly SEVEN YEARS , I don't recommend that. If you do take time off to take a break be sure not to get stuck in a rut that would keep you from going back. In retrospect, I would have probably been better off had I finished much sooner then I did, however, it did give me some perspective and afforded me some time to "grow up" a bit. __________________
Posts: 19,223

02-22-2006, 07:05 AM	#47
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9914975	Welfare and food stamps will keep ya goin', so no need to worry about finishing school at all. However, better advice is probably more like: Stay focused, learn to postpone this reward and in the long run you will probably be glad you did. Going for the "gratification now" decisions has been problematic for some people in their lives. Good luck.
Posts: 7,917

02-22-2006, 07:10 AM	#48
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1124563	FWIW, Bob Dole took 8 years off and still managed to finish.
Posts: 51,532

02-22-2006, 08:10 AM	#50
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	To quote Van Halen, "C'mon baby finish what you started". Took me 20 years to get my bachelors. I'd definitely do some things differently if I coulds do it all over again. __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

02-22-2006, 08:14 AM	#51
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I knew several people who 'took time off' during college, but can't remember any that came back. Stick it out and graduate.
Posts: 80,659

02-22-2006, 08:40 AM	#54
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-468231	This answer to this question really depends on your circumstances. You sound like you are planning to switch majors and or schools. It is likely that you will lose a semester just by doing that, plus the semester you plan to sit out. Depending on your circumstances this could be the right decision or a waste of a year. As you finish this Spring semester, you really need to narrow down your career choices. Based on that you will find yourself in one of two camps: A. You need to have specialized training at the UG level for your career choice. If your current school does not offer this degree, or is of questionable quality, changing schools might be the right choice. In that case, since you missed application deadlines for Fall Semester, you might as well sit out a semester. B. Many types of UG degrees can provide entry into the field of your choice, or you still have no idea what you want to do. There are many examples of this, law school for one. Just finish your degree where you are now. View it as chore that needs to be finished so you can get on with what you really want to do. Study abroad for a semeter if you need a fresh scene (these also have long lead time application deadlines). The main idea is to get the UG behind you. Now you can take some time to relax, travel, try out some different jobs. You may need to go to grad school to get the training for your dream job. You have to have your UG finished to do that. I wouldn't change schools without a real academic reason for doing so, and I definitely wouldn't change schools or sit out a semester without a firm academic plan leading to a career of high interest. The costs and risks are too high to undertake without a tangible benefit.
Posts: 46,032

02-22-2006, 10:12 AM	#55
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1231081	I kinda get the feeling that this is being brought on more by personal issues than academic issues. Forgive me if I'm completely wrong, but this is my take: You broke up with the bf... life seems like it's in the dumps.... a little depression sets in... bf has moved to TX and makes an attempt to resurrect old feelings.... that doesn't work.... a little more depression... Feelings of getting away and starting over set in... In this type of situation, a change of location always seems like the best solution at first. The whole "grass is greener" idea... But make sure it's really needed, and that you're doing it for the right reasons. I would take some time and seriously think it over before taking a semester off and/or move away. You may need less time to get over this than you think... I'd recommend sticking it out there.... or at least ponder the situation over spring break before making any decisions..... __________________
Posts: 48,803

02-22-2006, 10:16 AM	#56
KCTitus Archivist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Ethernet Casino cash: $9882732	Taking a semester off is a bad thing. Tough it out and get through school. You say you want to finish school but after 7 months of 'finding' ones self, getting back into the groove is going to be terribly difficult and I'd say the vast majority never go back. __________________ Anything you post on this BB can and will be used against you...
Posts: 26,199

02-22-2006, 10:45 AM	#57
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Don't take the time off. I also know several that decided to take another semester off, and eventually never went back. If your tired and unsure, take some classes that you will need anyway no matter if you change majors, go half time and work. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

02-22-2006, 10:53 AM	#58
Scaga Pissed off now Joboo Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: On my wife's $hitlist Casino cash: $1241665	Don't quit!! Take it from someone that quit 3-4 times...it's a real bitch to go back. After having the time off, it's really hard to get back in the swing of things. __________________ Bluto: Christ. Seven years of college down the drain. Might as well join the f_cking Peace Corps
Posts: 3,401